Best Nature and Wildlife Areas in Wood Green

"If the ladies’, men’s and mixed bathing ponds seem a bit too murky, take your children to the lido, instead. While still brisk, the water here tends to be warmer, and after you tire the children out in the water, roam the heath and find the perfect picnicking spot for the day. The heath has no great playgrounds – though, if you must, there are plenty in neighbouring Hampstead and Highgate – but the glorious park offers endless space for roaming, plenty of wooded areas for discovering natural forts, and space for sport."

"From wonderful walking trails to taking a dip in the bathing ponds, there is plenty to do and enjoy at Hampstead Heath. Branded ‘an island of beautiful countryside’, you’ll never get tired of visiting this thriving inner city escape."

"Hampstead Heath is technically in London, but because of its size, you will feel like you have left the busy capital behind you. It is beautiful in every season. There is a lot to explore."

"While Richmond Park is by far the most famous park in the area, Old Deer Park is an open space dedicated to sports facilities and community events. It has play areas, tennis courts, an outdoor gym and sports pitches. You can also access Pools on the Park, a sports, fitness and pool complex."

"Full of rare and unusual trees and shrubs, the Isabella Plantation is a beautiful spot set in the depths of Richmond Park. It’s a green space for most of the year, but in April & May, the azaleas bloom and Isabella Plantation becomes a perfect pink paradise. COVID-19 UPDATE: Isabella Plantation is currently closed to the public."

"This small Victorian woodland plantation was planted in the 1830s, but not opened to the public until 1953. It’s famed for its evergreen azaleas, which are best viewed in late April or early May. The garden includes the National Collection of Wilson 50 Kurume Azaleas, as well as other rare and unusual shrubs and trees."

"One of Europe’s largest inland wetland projects, this 42-hectare centre run by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust was transformed from four Victorian reservoirs in 2000 and attracts some 140 species of bird, as well as frogs, butterflies, dragonflies and lizards, plus a thriving colony of watervoles. The glass-fronted observatory affords panoramic views over the lakes, while meandering paths and boardwalks lead visitors through the watery habitats of black swans, Bewick's swans, geese, red-crested pochards, sand martins, coots, bitterns, herons and kingfishers."

"Voted in 2012 as Britain’s Favourite Natural Reserve, WWT London Wetland Centre is an oasis of natural wildlife placed right in the heart of London. Managed by Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, this idyllic wetland reserve is located in a loop of the Thames and occupies more than 100 acres of land. Home for a significant number of unique species of birds, insects, amphibians and other wildlife representatives, the Wetland Centre represents a real natural wonder."

"Just ten minutes from Hammersmith, you'll get lost in the London Wetland Centre and its lakes, ponds and gardens. Aside from the daily guided tours, you can meet the otters, feed the birds, or take part in a host of family activities such as pond dipping and nature walks."

"This farm is little further out of London, but a whole day of adventure and fun can be enjoyed here, thanks to a huge array of facilities, besides the friendly animals. There’s indoor soft play at the Bundle Barn, an alpine toboggan run, Dino Dig and Splash play area and an adventure playground. Unlike most of the other city farms in London listed, there is a small entry price for this one (£10) but this includes entry to all indoor and outdoor play areas, activities, animals, bird shows and a tractor ride to the dairy farm."

"A post shared by Georgiebd (@georgie.bd) on May 26, 2018 at 10:23am PDT. Cycle along the paths or take a stroll at Lee Valley Regional Park. Stretching 42km (26 miles) along the river Lee, past Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and up to Ware in Hertfordshire, there is plenty of opportunity to spot wildlife, relax or play."

"Situated in North London, Highgate Wood is one of the four ancient woods of the London Borough of Haringey (together with Queen’s Wood, Coldfall Wood and Bluebell Wood). Containing an impressive variety of trees and shrub species, the Highgate Wood is the home for many foxes, grey squirrels, as well as multiple species of birds, bats, butterflies and spiders. Besides the fact that it was included among the eight Green Heritage Sites in London, Highgate Wood also attracts visitors with its recreational facilities like children playgrounds, cafés, walking trails and sporting fields."

"Rarely does a restaurant manage to tick every box: great location (hello, rooftop!), incredible food (Michelin-starred, anyone?) and flawless service. But Galvin at Windows really does set itself apart from the rest. Found on the 28th floor of the London Hilton on Park Lane in Mayfair, the restaurant has made it its mantra to serve up faultless creative French cuisine with aplomb since opening in May 2006."

"Situated on the 28th floor of the London Hilton on Park Lane, Galvin at Windows boasts some of the city’s best views – but it’s less flashy than many of London’s sky-high restaurants. There’s a feel of old-school, understated elegance, with 30s-inspired décor and impeccable service. Ex-Ritz chef Marc Hardiman heads up the kitchen these days, and the food is excellent."

"This Michelin star restaurant is situated on the 28th floor of the Hilton Park Lane Hotel in Mayfair. It boasts 360 degree views of the city from its floor-to-ceiling windows. You can dine in style while overlooking Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace and even St. Paul’s Cathedral."

"Just a short walk from London’s West End theatres,L’Escargot offers a fantastic pre-theatre menu as well as their usual a la carte fare and Sunday lunch options. Choose a table in front of the roaring wood fire and enjoy a whole lobster, sample the liquorice beef or opt for the traditional snails. All of the dishes on offer are the usual French bistro classics with a L’Escargot twist, and can be accompanied by a bottle of fine French wine; just ask the waiter to hand-pair the wine with the dishes."

"Georges Gaudin, the restaurant moved further up Greek Street in 1927 and was renamed after its best-loved dish. Perhaps its most famous period was in the eighties when it was taken over by Nick Lander and Jancis Robinson (their son Will now runs the Quality Chophouse among others) and the dining room was run by the iconic GM Elena Salvoni. After a few years finding its feet in a modern dining scene, it’s now firmly back, firing on all cylinders as one of Soho’s most iconic restaurants."

"Coco Chanel, Mick Jagger, and Princess Diana have all dined here, so you know it’s going to be good. A fixture in Soho since 1927, you can’t leave without trying the dish the restaurant is named after: the snails."

"The one-time Ramsay protégé won over London with Pollen Street Social and now has a mini-empire of restaurants including Social Eating House, Berners Tavern and this small spot near Regent Street. Here, Atherton has created a menu of French bistro classics with modern — and often British — twists. Think Cornish cod with cockles, terrine with smoked duck, ox cheeks with bone marrow, or a cottage pie ‘Bourguignon’."

"London’s preeminent suya specialist relocated to Greenwich during 2020, selling its tozo, meltingly tender beef, guinea fowl, chicken, and lamb from a truck out of the Angerstein Business Park after its original Peckham location burned down. Now, Abdullahi Mai Kano is back in his Peckham Park Road home — but still sending those complex and delicious goods to postcodes across the capital and via UPS nationwide."

"Headed up by experienced barista Hiro Hamashita, Carbon Kopi is an independent, Antipodean-influenced coffee shop in Hammersmith and Fulham that serves thoughtfully good coffee. The beans are roasted by London-based roasters Square Mile and Carbon Kopi regularly showcases exciting guest roasts, available as whole bean or on batch brew. Non-dairy milks are available (this is London, after all) but the best way to enjoy a coffee at CK is by ordering one that’s been frothed with Estate Dairy milk to a cloud-like consistency."